Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Winter is Still Hanging On!!!

As we enter
the weeks following the Winter Break, things are settling
into consistent routines here at Barnard.Mid-year assessments are complete and classrooms can look forward to six
weeks of instruction with few interruptions with the exception of the
occasional snow day.

Our PTA
sponsored Ski and Snowboard Program
has come to a conclusion and I was able to join the participants for 5 of the 6
weeks on the snow.Numbers have been
unfortunately declining of late and I plan to be working with the students,
staff, and parents to see what can be done to renew interest in this great
activity to get the kids out and active in the winter months (I know I’m a
little biased!). In addition to this the PTA continues to meet regularly to
plan events and activities to support our school including their signature Blaze
the Trail 5K scheduled this year for Saturday May 3.

I am
pleased to announce that, through the efforts and support of Jay and Sharon
Gordon (first grader Jackson’s parents), Intermec Corporation has again
awarded us a grant, this year in the amount of $3,000!The monies are earmarked for furniture in a
laboratory classroom and there is no deadline for its use.This is great seed money for our project and
will be a welcomed relief, sparing the need to burden the community with this
portion of the expense. Thanks Jay and Sharon!

Spring is
field trip season is approaching and we have much in the works.Grades K-4 will be visiting Strawbery
Banke (the “r” is omitted on purpose) on March 21 and have an extensive
program planned for the day to accommodate all ages.Grades 5-8 will be touring the Freedom
Trail at a date still to be arranged. We are planning to take a guided
tour from Boston Commons and will include visits to Faneuil Hall, the Old North
Church, Bunker Hill, the Constitution and much more.The whole school has tickets to a 10:30 Fischer
Cats game on Wednesday May 14 and we are all looking forward to
cheering on our NH team vs. the Reading Phillies.The teachers will be planning learning
activities in and out of the classroom to promote the learning aspects of these
important educational experiences. The trips are part of our multi-year field
trip plan, which we will revisit, as we always do, at the end of the school
year.

From Ms. Donabedian:

“The Special
Education Department is creating a Sensory-Motor
Room in the main building (across from the Conference Room) in order to
have a convenient space in which to provide therapy and give students
opportunities for sensory breaks throughout the day.Currently, students are taken to a room off
the gym, which is not time-efficient, and requires more staff support.We are excited to be able to provide
therapists, educational associates, and classroom teachers with this more
accessible option to help build student success.We hope to have the room completed by the end
of March. Many thanks to Mrs. Jones, Mr. Pierce, and Mr. Cote for clearing out
the supply closet and to Mr. Cote for a great “spackle” job and for giving the
room a fresh coat of paint.”

The purpose of a Sensory Motor Room:

“A Sensory-Motor Room offers a nurturing,
student-centered sensory supportive environment.It is used to facilitate self-organization,
self-regulation, relaxation, and sensory awareness in order to integrate a
student back into the classroom.The
goal of the individual’s program in the room is to address the primary senses
of sight, touch, smelling, hearing, vestibular (balance), and proprioception
(awareness of one’s body in space).The
level of child’s arousal, either too high or too low, should match the degree,
intensity, type and frequency of sensory input.”

That’s about all for now.Please continue visit our school website
along with webpages and blogs by the staff and myself for updates, event
photos, and examples of student work.As
the snow begins to melt and buds are showing we look forward to field trips,
more outdoor recess, and even P.E. classes in the playing field.Here’s to a successful continuation of a
great school year!